Evening Prayer

Afternoon Prayer

May our nation be blessed with
hope and healing,
strength and softness,
courage and compassion,
vision and veracity,
fortitude and faith in the political process.
May we feel, in the coming hours and days,
a renewal of hope that calls us to thoughtful action.
May we take the ugliness that was unveiled by the antipathy and derision of this election cycle,
and hold it up to the light
allowing careful examination of the issues that breed discontent
to clear the way for the values that give birth to
justice, fairness, equality, and peace.
Let us turn our own flaws and our judgment of the other’s otherness into our growing edge of respectful discourse and understanding,
leading us to reach for what unifies us in our humanity.
Let us embrace the whole muddied mess with fresh eyes,
and listen carefully and completely
with our hearts and our ears,
catching the wickedness in our mouths,
chewing on it
until it turns slowly to a palatable phrase,
allowing us all to taste new flavors.
And as we breathe in deeply and release
the narrowness, the tightness, the bitterness,
may we be blessed with the grace and spaciousness to
smile
and bear the weight
together.

 

Noon Prayer

Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“Let us ask God to give us this love.

Love is patient and kind. O God, help us to be patient with people even they are foolish and silly and annoying; and help us always to be kind to others as we would wish them to be to us.

Love is not jealous or boastful.  O God, help us never to grudge other people their possessions or their successes, but to be as glad as if they were our own; and keep us from all pride and from all conceit that we may never boast of what we are, or have, or have achieved.

Love is not arrogant or rude.  O God, make us at all times courteous, as those who always remember that they are living in the presence of the King; and no matter what we are, and no matter who or what the other person is, help us never to look on anyone with contempt.

Love does not insist on its own way, is not irritable or resentful.  O God help us, Not to sulk when we do not get our own way; Not to be irritable and difficult to live with, but to take things and people as they come; Not to resent criticism and rebuke, even when we think we do not deserve it.

Love does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. O God, help us never to find any pleasure in any wrong thing, but to find happiness only in doing the right, and in helping others to do it.

Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  O God, help us To bear insults, injuries, slights and never to grow bitter; Never to lose our faith in Jesus our Lord; Never to despair, however dark and difficult and discouraging life may be; To stick it out to the end, and never to give in.

O God, you are love; help us to show your love to others every day in life. This we ask for your love’s sake. Amen.”
(William Barclay, A Barclay Prayer Book)

Benediction: May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, rest upon us and upon all our work and worship done in God’s name. May God give us light to guide us, courage to support us, and love to unite us, now and forevermore. Amen.

Morning Prayer

Scripture: 1Timothy 2:1-4

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Prayer

Dear Merciful Lord, you are our Creator, our Redeemer, and our eternal Salvation, We have gathered today as people with our own thoughts, our own passions, and our own ideals; however we also gather united as your children and united in prayer. We invite you into our hearts and minds to hear our thoughts and petitions and to cleanse us of all that is not pleasing unto you.

For our world, where there is war and peace, hatred and love; hear our prayers O Lord…

For our country that is in the midst of transition and new leadership; hear our prayers O Lord…

For our communities, and all who serve and are served; hear our prayers O Lord…

For our church family, those in the midst of struggle and those who are celebrating; hear our prayers O Lord…

For our friends and relatives whose lives surround us and shape our days; hear our prayers O Lord…

For ourselves, as we seek to live in accordance to your will; hear our prayers O Lord…

Jesus, you have heard what has been said and you know what is kept secure in our hearts; that in itself is a gift, but you don’t stop there, we believe that you not only listen, you respond. For this we give thanks, and ultimately say, Thy Will Be Done. In your name we pray, Amen.

The Blessing:

May the One true God who is merciful and just, slow to anger and quick to forgive, be with you throughout this day, guiding your thoughts, your words and your actions. Go now in peace, in harmony, and in love. Amen.